THEORIES Theories for what causes schizophrenia
1) the Genetic Theory – schizophrenia is inherited
2) the Interpersonal (Environmental) Theory – caused by pressure of the world
3) the Biochemical Theory – alterations in body chemistry
4) the Bio-Psycho-Social Theory – caused by combination of some/all of the above
There are other theories, but these are the ones that have been studied the most:
Genetic Theory:
An explanation based on our heredity. Chromosomes determine the characteristics that makes us what we are. Some scientists believe that people with schizophrenia have different heredity material inside their bodies; the disorder can be passed to their children, though not 100% of the time. Research has been conducted on twins, as they have an almost identical genetic makeup. If both children always had schizophrenia, that would mean the disease would be related to genetics. However, there have not been enough incidents of schizophrenia in both twins to prove this theory correct or incorrect.
Interpersonal (Environmental) Theory:
Environmental and family factors might cause a person to have schizophrenia, but this theory is still under research.
Biochemical Theory:
Our minds and bodies depend on the the constant action of electrical and chemical processes. The brain is made up of billions of nerve fibers. When a noise, light, or smell (called a stimulus) acts upon a nerve ending on a sensory organ (eyes, ears, or nose), an electrical impulse is sent to the brain. The chemical and electrical process translates the message and provides the person with information. A chemical neurotransmitters often studied is dopamine, and scientists are trying to discover if people with schizophrenia have a higher amount of dopamine than "normal" people. Experiments have been performed using amphetamines (a class of drugs that increases the amount of dopamine) on animals and occasionally humans. So far research has shown that dopamine does produce behavior which resembles schizophrenia. There is not enough evidence to conclude that schizophrenia has a biochemical cause, but it does seem to play an important part in schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. Schizophrenia is not caused by a single factor.
Bio-Psycho-Social Theory:
Some scientists believe that schizophrenia is caused by a combination of all three of the above theories, meaning that the studying of schizophrenia will be much harder as there will be so much more information to take into account.
Theories for what causes schizophrenia
1) the Genetic Theory – schizophrenia is inherited
2) the Interpersonal (Environmental) Theory – caused by pressure of the world
3) the Biochemical Theory – alterations in body chemistry
4) the Bio-Psycho-Social Theory – caused by combination of some/all of the above
There are other theories, but these are the ones that have been studied the most:
Genetic Theory:
An explanation based on our heredity. Chromosomes determine the characteristics that makes us what we are. Some scientists believe that people with schizophrenia have different heredity material inside their bodies; the disorder can be passed to their children, though not 100% of the time. Research has been conducted on twins, as they have an almost identical genetic makeup. If both children always had schizophrenia, that would mean the disease would be related to genetics. However, there have not been enough incidents of schizophrenia in both twins to prove this theory correct or incorrect.
Interpersonal (Environmental) Theory:
Environmental and family factors might cause a person to have schizophrenia, but this theory is still under research.
Biochemical Theory:
Our minds and bodies depend on the the constant action of electrical and chemical processes. The brain is made up of billions of nerve fibers. When a noise, light, or smell (called a stimulus) acts upon a nerve ending on a sensory organ (eyes, ears, or nose), an electrical impulse is sent to the brain. The chemical and electrical process translates the message and provides the person with information. A chemical neurotransmitters often studied is dopamine, and scientists are trying to discover if people with schizophrenia have a higher amount of dopamine than "normal" people. Experiments have been performed using amphetamines (a class of drugs that increases the amount of dopamine) on animals and occasionally humans. So far research has shown that dopamine does produce behavior which resembles schizophrenia. There is not enough evidence to conclude that schizophrenia has a biochemical cause, but it does seem to play an important part in schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. Schizophrenia is not caused by a single factor.
Bio-Psycho-Social Theory:
Some scientists believe that schizophrenia is caused by a combination of all three of the above theories, meaning that the studying of schizophrenia will be much harder as there will be so much more information to take into account.
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